TUSCALOOSA — Eager to string together two straight conference wins, all Alabama had to do was put together its most complete game this season.

The Crimson Tide had five players reach double figures in an 80-71 win over shorthanded Missouri to win back-to-back Southeastern Conference games for the first time this season Saturday at Coleman Coliseum.

“Coming into this game we understood what the situation was, we know where Missouri is with their program,” Tide head coach Avery Johnson said. “We wanted to come out and do what we had to do on both ends of the floor. I’m trying to grow these guys into more of a sustainable effort. Out of 40 minutes, I’d say we probably played 32 good minutes, whereas normally we play 22 good minutes or 18.”

Sophomore wing Riley Norris led the way with 18 points thanks to 5-of-11 shooting and 3-of-8 from 3-point range, while senior guard Retin Obasohan added 16 points and a game-high 7 rebounds. Sophomore guard Justin Coleman had 14 points off the bench while sophomore center Jimmie Taylor and senior guard Arthur Edwards added 11 points apiece. Taylor also had five rebounds, four blocks and two steals for his most complete stat line in SEC play this season.

“I’m seeing Jimmie coming into his own,” Obasohan said. “We’ve been working on getting him the ball some more and putting him in situations where he can play to his strengths and get that confidence. … And to see him do it in a game setting is big for us and big for him.”

Missouri was without key reserve forwards D’Angelo Allen, Jakeenan Gant and Russell Woods (the last two due to suspensions). Kevin Puryear led the Tigers with 22 points and Ryan Rosburg had 17.

“We were playing shorthanded, we had three of our big guys out, so I thought we battled them,” Missouri head coach Kim Anderson said. “In the second half, I thought we settled down and we made some plays.”

Alabama (13-9, 4-6 SEC) led by a game-high 24 (67-43) midway through the second half on the heels of a 10-0 run over a span of 1:43. It was was up as many as 18 with 31/2 minutes left.

Despite another rough go of it at the free-throw line, shooting just 21-of-33, the Tide posted one of its most consistent lines from the floor, including 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) in the first half and 12-of-24 (50 percent) in the second half.

Most of that consistency came during several extended runs that allowed the Tide to stretch — and maintain — a double-digit advantage.

The first of those runs took place when Missouri (8-15, 1-9 SEC) went without a field goal for roughly 61/2 minutes, during which time Alabama ripped off a 15-2 run to lead 31-18 with 6:29 left in the first half.

“It was crucial, because guys were out there — when Jimmie (Taylor) and Donta (Hall) block eight shots between them, that gives us a chance for fastbreaks and to get into our offense quicker — anchoring our defense good,” Johnson said. “I just think having consistency, staying in the moment, playing one possession at a time (and) taking care of the ball (were key).”

The Tide, which maintained its double-digit advantage the rest of the way, went into halftime up 40-28, doing most of its damage in the lane. It outscored the Tigers 16-6 in points in the paint — including 10-4 second-chance points.

Alabama will host Texas A&M (18-5, 7-3 SEC), the second-place team in the SEC West, at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The victory Saturday was not just a boost because of the back-to-back wins, but it also created some separation at the bottom of the SEC. It puts the Tide in position for a late-season push after struggling early in the conference.

“I told (my players), I’m not going to lie to them, we were right there with those teams, we’ve got to try to break out of that pack,” Johnson said. “The schedule is leveling out now.”